Collecting Vintage Motorcycle Helmets

Vintage motorcycle helmets are a popular collectors’ item, and there are many sources that you can explore if you want to start collecting vintage motorcycle helmets. Among the best places to search are the online auctions. Just type vintage motorcycle helmets into an online auction search engine and you will find many interesting items on sale.

Some of the vintage motorcycle helmets on recent offer have been a classic Everoak Grand Prix motorcycle helmet made in the UK in 1977; a vintage police motorcycle helmet in mint condition from 1985; and a vintage orange sparkle helmet from the 1970s.

You can also try vintage motorcycle clubs. The clubs often hold swap meets at which you can pick up a bargain.

Other sources are vintage motorcycle collectors’ magazine and websites. If you put vintage motorcycle club, magazine or collectors into a search engine, you will find many sources for your collection. Also try Yahoo groups and other online interest groups.

When you start collecting vintage motorcycle helmets, make sure you are dealing with reputable vendors until you know your way around the market.

Take care of your collection and it will increase in value. The best way to display vintage motorcycle helmets is on head forms, similar to those used for displaying wigs. Label each display with its make, and vintage. Keep a log of all your purchases, and regularly check to see if the helmet has gone up in value. As you add to your collection, and it grows in value, you may wish to have it insured.

Your collection can be displayed in a cabinet or on shelves built for the purpose at the start, but as it grows, you may want to consider putting the collection in a room of its own.

The collector of vintage motorcycle helmets can specialize by decade, style or manufacturer.

The first motorcycle helmet was invented in 1953 by Professor CF Lombard, of the University of Southern California. Lombard’s helmet had padding inside for the wearer’s comfort and an outer layer of padding to absorb the shock of impact.

Very early vintage motorcycle helmets look nothing like today’s galactically styled full face helmets. The actual vintage helmet is a `pudding bowl’ shape, with leather covering the ears and the back of the neck. Leather face masks would also be worn for extra protection against wind and dust. The helmets were designed along the lines of a horse rider’s crash cap, which they resemble. Goggles were worn instead of masks, and colors were generally plain.

In the ‘70s, motorcycle helmets, like everything else, fell victim to `flower power’. The keen collector can still find some very `un-easy rider’ vintage 70s motorcycle helmets with glitter finishes and decals.

Collecting vintage motorcycle helmets is fun, but more than that, it is part of the history of motorcycles, something every enthusiast will enjoy.